Speeding ticket

[schroetf]

that cop was not cool--------

 

[BigBSBusa]

Sounds like you got the scoop! Let us know how it turns out.

 

[FloydV]

If you can afford an attorney then that is absolutely what you need to do. I received a ticket for 140 in a 45 where the officer then wrote me another for reckless driving. I hired a GOOD attorney that was referred to me by a friend who is also a lawyer. He advised me to pay the speeding ticket, and then he claimed "double jeapordy" He also attempted to get the officer to agree to allow me to drop the Reckless driving citation, but the cop was a jerk and insistent I was a hazard although there was nothing but wheat fields on each side of the 4 lane road, and no cross streets, homes, or openings of any kind, or even traffic traveling in the other direction for more than a quarter mile ahead and therefore no one else who COULD  have been endangered. My attorney was good enough to convince the DA he HAD TO DROP THE TICKET however, and the judge agreed, after grousing and complaining, that he too had no choice. It cost me $1500 but I knew I had to have help to have any chance of at least getting out of the reckless ticket that was $500 and death to my insurance rates. Sure I had to pay for the speeding ticket but in Oklahoma it is still just 3 points against your license reagardless of speed. Many attorneys will work a ticket for as little as $150-$200 which is usually cost effective when considering al the expense especially if your rates go up. Fight every one you get. Sometimes the cops don't show up, the judge is sympathetic, etc.

In Texas, it's up to the Justice of the Peace. They can fine the crap out of you, but they don't take your bike. How many states are into taking people's bikes?

 

[badboysbailagnt]

just go get a pjc from the da he or she will give it to you they have to give you 2 per 3 year period now in nc and you will not get any insurance or lic points

 

[badboysbailagnt]

just go get a pjc from the da he or she will give it to you they have to give you 2 per 3 year period now in nc and you will not get any insurance or lic points

 

[frisbee]

DO NOT GO TO COURT WITHOUT A LAWYER!!!!!!!!!!

I have had over 20 tickets in NC.  I have 0 points on my license and 0 insurance points.  I have managed to accomplish this feat by ALWAYS hiring an attorney.  

Here is the deal.  The court system wants to make sure you "learn your lesson".  The best way to accompish this is by financial means.  They want to see you pay big bucks.  By hiring a lawyer and spending $200-300 you have "learned you lesson" and there is no need to mess up your insurance or license.  After all if you don't have a license you can't get to work and be a productive member of society.  

There is a clause in NC called "Improper equipment" and it is used to drop the offence to a non-moving violation.  It is not a legal defence per say, but it is used all the time in court to help "speed things through".  It is 0 points on your license or insurance.  But you can not do this on your own (because doing that you wouldn't "learn your lesson" financially).  

I have gotten all sorts of moving violations dropped that way.  Mostly for speeding (highest was 83 in a 55) but once I got it for failure to yeild (guess the only improper equipment that time was my brain.

.


If you fight it yourself the best you can get would be a reduction of the speed (usually to 9mph over) which still gives you insurance points.  There is a possibility of getting a "prayer for justice" which drops the ticket but if you get another moving violation they both hit you at once, bad juju.

$200 to an attorney once is better than paying higher premiums for the next 3 years.  

Good luck,
Chris

What he said!

 

[drumminman]

A quick update:

Just talked to an attorney this am and he guarantees that he can get the charges changed to "Improper Equipment" if I attend a 1/2 day safe driving school.

The fact that I was more than 20 mph over the speed limit in Orange County means that the DA requires the course.

Looks like with attorney's fees, court costs, fines, safe driving course, I'm looking at $500. And for this the speeding ticket is like it never happened.

And I never have to appear in court.

Once this whole thing plays out I'll let ya'll know if anything is different from the above. I'll also be happy to refer anyone to this attorney who specializes in trafic violations - that's all he does.

Thaks for all the input!

 

[badboysbailagnt]

your waisting your money on a attorney ive had maybe 10 speeding tickets in 8 years i never get an attorney just go get a pjc or get it reduced

 

[Kweave]

Hey, just wanted to chime in. I am a traffic cop in Charlotte ( and a Busa Rider)  the Pjc will work. But you CANNOT get another ticket in 5 years or they both go on your record.  The reason you need a Att. is because its a buddy system. The Judges are lawyers too. If they start allowing the avg. Joe to defend himself then his field starts to die out.  You are off about losing your license for 30 days. ( thats only if you have a CDL)

 

[FJRider]

drumminman - Sounds like you've found a smart way out. Keep us informed on the outcome. I think I'd definitely go the lawyer route if [probably when] I get nailed for speeding.

I'm curious how lawyers logically convince the judge a speeding offense is an improper equipment charge? Or lesser charge? Or is there no logic to it, just the right representation and pay your $$$?

 

[drumminman]

Kweave, thanks from the insight from one who knows. I got my initial info from the NC DOT website.

What you stated about the PJC is exactly the reason I decided to get an attorney. I don't plan on getting another ticket anytime soon, but you never know!

Since you're a traffic cop what is the best thing to say/do if one is stopped for speeding? In other words, what is most likely to get one off with only a warning?

Thanks,

Fred

 

[greeneinc]

That is great to hear drumminman. Are radar jammers illegal in your state? If not, sounds like you might need one.

 

[Kweave]

The best thing to do is be friendly(No attitudes). A lot of cops love bikes and get just as much of a thrill chasing them as does the rider running from them.  I mostly give bikers breaks.
Also strike up a conversation with the officer. Talk about his patrol car his equipment etc.  Also a trick I learned when I was a teen and still use to screw with people.... Get a quick glance at his name plate (dont let him see you do it) then look him in the eyes and pretend you know him. And look really glad to be stopped by this particular officer/ Trooper. You have to sell that and it may take practice. If he is a true #### you are not gonna get a break, but if you can turn on the charm then you may get a reduced speed and or a warning. If he thinks you know him then he doesnt want to bump into you later or have someone he knows asking to reduce the ticket.

NEVER say my dad/brother/ sister are officers. Unless they are good friends of the officer. This kinda pisses officers off. If you do have a relative mention it in a subtle way.

I am thinking of writing a book on beating tickets. Not just the tricks lawyers use, but things like where officers like to hide and why they pick those spots.

Hope this helps...

 

[petereb]

My buddy and I were charged in Aug. last year with 90 in a 60 in Bryson City. We hired an attorney who was able to reduce it to 75 in a 60. We paid fines and attorney fees. We did have our NC priveleges revoked for a month (we're from Fla.) and it cost $25 to re-instate. I am comfortable that we did the smart move to hire an attorney.

 

[LORDWAGO]

drumminman - Sounds like you've found a smart way out. Keep us informed on the outcome. I think I'd definitely go the lawyer route if [probably when] I get nailed for speeding.

I'm curious how lawyers logically convince the judge a speeding offense is an improper equipment charge? Or lesser charge? Or is there no logic to it, just the right representation and pay your $$$?

There is no logic to it at all. If the system wanted u to learn from your mistakes the punishment should be made hard enough to where you would learn from it not just pay to get out of it.I't just the court system getting their cut. If u ever notice in District court if u ever notice after they have role call of all the people watch the lawyers and DA walk to the back area or another room. Thats where they do their plea's and hang out at. Basically the lawyer talks to the DA like buddies and they just make a deal. THe only time a judge see's it is when u try to fight the ticket other than that its handled in the back. It's all a "joke" but the DA will Agree to a Lawyer before they listen to the public.

 

[AlbanianEagle]

DO NOT GO TO COURT WITHOUT A LAWYER!!!!!!!!!!

I have had over 20 tickets in NC.  I have 0 points on my license and 0 insurance points.  I have managed to accomplish this feat by ALWAYS hiring an attorney.  

Here is the deal.  The court system wants to make sure you "learn your lesson".  The best way to accompish this is by financial means.  They want to see you pay big bucks.  By hiring a lawyer and spending $200-300 you have "learned you lesson" and there is no need to mess up your insurance or license.  After all if you don't have a license you can't get to work and be a productive member of society.  

There is a clause in NC called "Improper equipment" and it is used to drop the offence to a non-moving violation.  It is not a legal defence per say, but it is used all the time in court to help "speed things through".  It is 0 points on your license or insurance.  But you can not do this on your own (because doing that you wouldn't "learn your lesson" financially).  

I have gotten all sorts of moving violations dropped that way.  Mostly for speeding (highest was 83 in a 55) but once I got it for failure to yeild (guess the only improper equipment that time was my brain.

.


If you fight it yourself the best you can get would be a reduction of the speed (usually to 9mph over) which still gives you insurance points.  There is a possibility of getting a "prayer for justice" which drops the ticket but if you get another moving violation they both hit you at once, bad juju.

$200 to an attorney once is better than paying higher premiums for the next 3 years.  

Good luck,
Chris

Listen to NCBusa2001 it seems like he definitly knows what he's talking about and good luck.